helping all children learn and reach their full potential since 1993

ST. LOUIS LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION

visit us online at www.ldastl.org

EARLY CHILDHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM 201 6

PARENT/TEACHER TRAINING - In general, educators receive limited training regarding learning disabilities. This makes it difficult for teachers to identify early warning signs in their students and leaves them ill-equipped to assist such children in a uniform learning environment. As a result, these children often do not receive the special education strategies that help them learn and keep pace with their peers. Furthermore, many schools in the greater St. Louis area have sharply curtailed programs and face multiple challenges such as large student-teacher ratios, out-of-date materials, poor attendance and limited resources, making it hard to educate even children with typical educational profiles. Many parents are unaware of the significance their contribution makes to their children’s development in the early years. According to a 2010 study by the Tremaine Foundation, 61-76% of parents of children displaying various signs of delayed development view their behavior as something they will just “grow out of.” 66% of parents whose children had diagnosed learning disabilities described themselves as “deeply struggling” or “conflicted” regarding their ability to help their child. Meanwhile, 66% of educators consider parents’ lack of involvement in their child’s learning process to be a major challenge to their ability to help those children develop. In the face of all these challenges, LDA’s approach to training parents and educators of at-risk children contributes to a systematic change that can have a profound, long-term impact on the St. Louis community.

ENRICHED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT - After decades of research it has become overwhelmingly evident that the health and growth of a community is directly linked to investing in individuals. This begins with recognizing the critical window of opportunity that exists in the education of children ages 0-5 across multiple domains of development (social/emotional, cognitive, numeracy, physical, language & creative expression). In the state of Missouri, only 36% of children ages 3-4 are enrolled in preschool, and children are not legally required to attend kindergarten. The achievement gap is widest in under-resourced communities where children are the least likely to attain effective early education. The Heckman Equation project has shown that insufficient early childhood development contributes significantly to poor health, poverty and crime. In addition, the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators reports that children who are engaged in enriched early learning are less likely to repeat a grade in school and more likely to graduate from high school. LDA’s Early Childhood Outreach Program is focused on ensuring that all children, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential. LEARNING DISABILITIES - 5.7 million children receive special education services in America, 2.4 million of whom have diagnosed learning disabilities. This translates to 3-4 children in each classroom in our community struggling academically and behaviorally because they learn differently, despite being no less intelligent than their peers. Learning and developmental disabilities are devastating to a child’s ability to think, communicate and achieve academically, often resulting in a crippling blow to their self-esteem. The need for early intervention and identification is imperative. If left undetected and untreated, learning disabilities have a high statistical correlation to school dropout incidences, substance abuse and engagement with the juvenile justice system. Learning disabilities manifest as a quiet epidemic, not only affecting children while they are in school but also seriously impairing their ability to succeed in life.

LDA provides comprehensive early childhood consulting services for families & educators, bringing about significant systemic improvements in preschool classrooms and directly supporting parents who are requesting assistance for their child’s specific needs. Our learning specialists are highly qualified educators with many years of training and experience in early childhood development who keep current on new research and best practices in the field. Comparative data from our standardized assessments indicates that LDA’s ongoing partnership with centers and caregivers improves the child’s learning experience by 12% on average, compared with just 3% when follow-up does not take place. This increases to 25% improvement after 3 years of training and regular interaction with LDA.

ADDRESSING OUR COMMUNITY’S NEEDS

OUR EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

1,800 children 307 teachers in classrooms 126 classrooms 41 early childhood centers 68 workshops 1,293 workshop attendees 8,810 interactions with children, parents & educators

OUR IMPACT IN 2015

LDA uses post-workshop surveys to determine the effectiveness of our training for educators and/or parents. We also use scores from reliable, standardized classroom assessment tools to gauge the effectiveness of the learning environment for the children. Based on our past success, we expect to see the following:

• At least 95% of workshop attendees will attest to their ability to use the materials and knowledge gained during the workshop in the classroom and/or at home.

• At least 90% of workshop attendees will articulate confidence in identifying students struggling to learn.

• Through classroom observation, at least 90% of teachers will demonstrate the use of proven strategies for providing an enriched learning environment.

• Through review of assessment scores, 85% of children will show a marked increase in skills and abilities due to improvements in their experience.

The Early Childhood Outreach Program operates year-round and consists of multiple services to support educators and parents, creating a richer learning environment for the children in their care. 1. Our learning specialists perform classroom observations

with objective assessment tools such as CLASS, ELLCO, ITERS and ECERS to score the children's learning experience using proven, research-based standards. These assessments are carried out annually at minimum and are instrumental in providing guidance for how LDA can best serve each center going forward.

2. Following assessments, LDA specialists consult with educators (directors/teachers) regarding strategies for improvements that will further develop teachers' strengths and empower them with tools and skills that will benefit all children in the classroom. LDA assists with professional development planning as part of this process.

3. LDA conducts workshops for early childhood educators and parents in order to provide specialized training across a broad range of topics such as Language Development, Early Warning Signs of Learning Disabilities, Working with Children with Special Needs, Autism, ADHD, Promoting Early Literacy, Helping Children Make Transitions, Bullying, Infant/Toddler Curriculum, Helping Parents Understand Developmental Milestones and Ready for Kindergarten. These sessions are critical for expanding caregivers' knowledge and awareness about developmental issues and giving them the tools and skills they need to be confident that they are maximizing their children's learning experience.

4. Our specialists follow up with teachers in the classroom after workshops and staff training sessions, coaching and modeling specific behavior, language and methods that will enhance the learning environment. Emphasis is placed on literacy and social/emotional development and teachers are given practical guidance in their use of age-appropriate strategies with language, questioning, wait time for responses, and child-directed activities.

5. As part of our commitment to early intervention, LDA uses research-based tools such as the DIAL-4 to screen children ages 3-5 individually for potential learning differences and delays. Based on the results, children can be referred for further evaluation and intervention.

6. LDA can also observe individual children who have early warning signs of learning disabilities and consult with educators and parents about child-specific strategies, IAP development, IEP/IFSP advocacy and referral assistance.

7. LDA's educational consultants are qualified to give administrators and teachers the training and guidance necessary to obtain accreditation. This is a critical step so that independent daycare centers can become certified early childhood development centers, dramatically improving the quality of the educational environment and the likelihood of success for the children in their care.

LDA's multi-tiered services – including assessments, parent & educator workshops, in-the-moment coaching, screens and child-specific observations & consultations – provide a greater impact in bridging the achievement gap and preparing children for success from their very first day of school and throughout their lives.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES & EVALUATION METHODS

INCOME % ST. LOUIS LDA ORGANIZATION

EARLY CHILDHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM

Corporations/Foundations 11% 160,500 110,000

Individuals 30% 440,200 147,328

Fundraising Events 8% 114,000 0

Program Fees 51% 763,755 24,000

Other <1% 2,520 0

TOTAL 100% $1,481,100 $171,328

EXPENSE % ST. LOUIS LDA

ORGANIZATION EARLY CHILDHOOD

OUTREACH PROGRAM Fundraising 12% 183,624 0

Administration 6% 87,020 0

Program Expenses 82% 1,208,956 171,328

TOTAL 100% $1,479,600 $171,328

St. Louis LDA’s total budget for the Early Childhood Outreach Program is $171,328, which is 12% of the organizational budget of $1,479,600.

The various components of the Early Childhood Outreach Program are part of a unified plan to bring about lasting change in our most devastated communities. Based on our measurable outcomes listed on the previous page, we expect to see the following:

• Teachers will continue to grow in their ability to integrate effective early education strategies into classroom management and their regular interactions with children.

• Parents who have received training in early childhood development will continue to be more deeply invested in their children’s ongoing education throughout their school years.

• Children who are nurtured in an enriched learning environment will have advanced cognitive, language, social/emotional and motor skills and will go on to flourish in school as independent thinkers, problem solvers and avid learners.

St. Louis LDA relies on diverse streams of funding from the community to fund our many programs, particularly the Early Childhood Outreach Program because of the large volume of services provided at little to no cost in under-resourced communities where they are needed the most. We are continually seeking out new avenues of support from individual donors, corporations and foundations who share our vision. We know that the only way to bring about lasting change in our community is to invest in children so that they flourish and become a vital part of the local leadership and economy as adults. With your support of the Early Childhood Outreach Program, we can give hundreds of teachers and parents the tools they need to impact thousands of children in the most underserved areas of the St. Louis community.

LONG-TERM IMPACT THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMMING

PROGRAM BUDGET FUNDING STATEMENT

For additional information, visit us online at www.ldastl.org.

View our nonprofit profile at GuideStar.org.

DEVELOPING THE

WHOLE CHILD

PHYSICAL

NUMERICAL SKILLS

CREATIVE ARTS

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL

COGNITIVE SKILLS

LANGUAGE & LITERACY